Sascha Freyberg

In this article, we analyse how Ernst Cassirer’s approach of a phenomenology of knowledge deals with the general question of disunity in science and society. By elaborating on the concept of functional unity, which presupposes difference, Cassirer’s work helps to revise foundational concepts of modern science and society, such as pluralism and truth. Relating Cassirer’s approach to the current interest in political epistemology, we show the implications of Cassirer’s theory of knowledge and analyses of modern science, particularly physics. In these analyses, Cassirer carves out the relational logic of scientific knowledge and its consequences on epistemological and ethico-political levels. While this logic of relations relativises absolute claims on either level, it entails its distinct normative criteria as elements of the scientific ideal. Cassirer’s project defends this ideal and thus can simultaneously defend plurality _in_ science (including the humanities) in terms of methods, perspectives and aims, and preserve the unity _of_ science as a normative ideal and symbolic form in constant interaction with other forms. Thus, Cassirer’s pluralism must be distinguished from mere historicist or relativist conceptions.

: Reconstructive Synthesis. On the Method of the Philosophy of Culture in Ernst Cassirer and John Dewey. This paper argues that Ernst Cassirer and John Dewey - despite their seemingly opposing views on ‚idealism‘ and ‚naturalism‘ - pursue a common project.We want to elucidate this project along the lines of a philosophy of culture that is characterized by the leading idea of a reconstructive synthesis. The consequent result of this common project consists in the program for a logic of cultural inquiry. In order to establish the decisive link between Cassirer and Dewey we will first have a look at historical interrelations highlighting a shared conception of philosophy. We will, then, elaborate on the method of reconstruction as well as the transformative aspect of the logic of inquiry in Cassirer and Dewey. Finally, we will give a programmatic sketch of the logic of cultural inquiry resulting from our synthesis of the two theories.